New Delhi:
The row over the selection of website for Dr Manmohan Singh’s cremation and a doable memorial in his identify escalated right this moment after Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of “insulting” the reminiscence of the previous prime minister.
Dr Singh, who served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014, died on the age of 92 on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi. His final rites had been carried out right this moment on the Nigambodh Ghat with full state honours. The selection of the funeral website was flagged by Mr Gandhi, the Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha, as an “insult” to Dr Singh.
“The good son of Mom India and the primary Prime Minister of the Sikh group, Dr Manmohan Singh ji has been completely insulted by the current authorities by performing his final rites right this moment on the Nigambodh Ghat. He was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, throughout his tenure the nation turned an financial superpower and his insurance policies nonetheless help the poor and backward lessons of the nation,” Mr Gandhi posted on X.
“Until date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their final rites had been carried out at authorised burial websites so that each particular person might have the final ‘darshan’ and pay homage with none inconvenience. Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The federal government ought to have proven respect to this nice son of the nation and his proud group,” he added.
The BJP was fast to rebuke the Congress for elevating the problem on the day of Dr Singh’s cremation.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticised Mr Gandhi for his remarks, accusing him of stooping to a “new low in Indian politics.”
“It is a new low in politics of India, because of the Congress occasion. The sort of politics Congress is doing, particularly Rahul Gandhi – who has tweeted in regards to the cremation – is shameful. We in a cupboard assembly after the demise of the previous PM Manmohan Singh – determined that since he was the PM and had a giant stature – the cupboard wrote a letter to Congress and Dr Singh’s household – the place the cupboard mentioned that we should always construct a memorial in his identify in order that the nation and the world keep in mind him for his optimistic works,” Mr Patra mentioned in a press convention.
The BJP additional accused Congress of hypocrisy, mentioning previous situations of alleged disrespect towards its personal leaders, equivalent to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Dr Singh’s physique was then taken to Nigambodh Ghat in a flower-adorned automobile, accompanied by safety personnel and a big gathering of supporters. Mr Gandhi walked alongside the procession and later helped carry the casket to the pyre.
On the cremation floor, the ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, together with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders from the Congress, equivalent to Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Jairam Ramesh, had been additionally current, together with senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh.
Overseas dignitaries, together with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Overseas Minister Dhananjay Ramful, joined the ceremony to honour Dr Singh’s legacy.
The previous prime minister’s eldest daughter, Upinder Singh, lit the funeral pyre, as Sikh clergymen recited Gurbani hymns. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute by the armed forces.
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